01
gedruckt
printed
Put onto paper or another material using a printing process, as opposed to digital or handwritten.
example
Ich bevorzuge die gedruckte Ausgabe der Zeitung.
I prefer the printed edition of the newspaper.
gedruckt
printed / stilted
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Gedruckt' (printed) is the past participle of the verb 'drucken' (to print). It is very often used as an adjective to describe things that have been put on paper.
EXAMPLE
Ich lese lieber gedruckte Bücher als E-Books.
I prefer reading printed books to e-books.
Context clue
If 'gedruckt' (printed) refers to concrete things like books or newspapers, the literal meaning is intended. If it describes a person's language or way of expressing themselves, the figurative, negative meaning 'gestelzt' (stilted) is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die gedruckte Einladung kam per Post.
The printed invitation came by mail.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning 'gestelzt' (stilted) is almost always used in the combination 'sich gedruckt ausdrücken' (to express oneself in a stilted way). It describes a very unnatural and formal way of speaking.
EXAMPLE
Er drückt sich immer so gedruckt aus, dass man kaum ein Gespräch mit ihm führen kann.
He always expresses himself in such a stilted way that you can hardly have a conversation with him.
Compare with
gedruckt vs digital
digital
'digital' and 'gedruckt' are opposites when it comes to texts, images, or documents. 'digital' means that something exists as a file, on a screen, or on the internet. 'Gedruckt' means that the content has been put onto paper or another material using a printing process. The content can be the same, but the form is different: you see a digital invoice on a screen; you hold a printed invoice in your hand.
gedruckt
Wegen der Prüfung hat der Lehrer die Aufgaben gedruckt verteilt.
Because of the exam, the teacher handed out the tasks in printed form.
digital
Die Verkäuferin schickt mir die Rechnung digital per E-Mail.
The sales assistant sends me the invoice digitally by email.
In real life
Loading video examples...